The midterm election has come to a close as Missouri voters cast their votes in a variety of local and statewide races.
Locally, Jeanie Riddle (R) won the State Senate District 10 race against Mexico’s Ayanna Shivers (D), 48,277-20,384 as she had 70% of the vote.
In State Senate District 18, Cindy O’Laughlin (R) defeated Crystal Stephens (D) 46,225-19,528 with 70% of the total votes.
In local U.S. Representative races, Sam Graves (R) defeated Henry Robert Martin (D) 199,580-97,515 after all 501 precincts reported.
Vicky Hartzler (R) continued the Republican momentum with a 185,245-93,861 victory over Renee Hoagenson in the U.S. Representative District 4 race.
Kent Haden (R) managed to earn nearly 73% of the votes in the 27 precincts as he defeated Jamie Blair (D) 9,142-3,442. Haden wins the seat held by Rep. Jay Houghton, who is finishing up his final term.
Those winning uncontested races in Audrain County include Jason Lamb (R, Circuit Judge 12), Linda Hamlett (D, Associate Circuit Judge), Steve Hobbs (R, Presiding Commissioner), Lisa Smith (R, County Clerk), Penny Creed Craghead (D, Circuit Clerk), Janis Deimeke (R, Recorder of Deeds), Patty Meyers (D, Treasurer), Jacob Shellabarger (D, Prosecuting Attorney), and Kate Becker (R, Collector).
As of 12:40 a.m. Tuesday morning in the statewide races, Josh Hawley (R) had 51% of the vote and was declared the winner in the U.S. Senate race with incumbent Sen. Claire McCaskill (D). The margin of votes was 1,218,453-1,081,002 with 3,236 of the 3,256 precincts reporting.
Nicole Galloway (D) was set to win the State Auditor race with 50% of the vote. She had a 1,175,565-1,031,198 margin over Saundra McDowell (R).
As for the amendments and propositions on the ballot, Missouri voters did vote to approve the use of marijuana for medical purposes.
With 3,217 of 3,256 precincts reportings, voters were set to pass Amendment No. 2 with 665 of the vote by a margin of more than 600,000 total votes.
As for the other two items related to marijuana, voters turned down Amendment No. 3 by around 800,000 votes and Proposition C by around 300,000 votes.
Voters did pass the “clean up Missouri” Amendment No. 1 by around 600,000 votes.
They also approved a measure clarifying language on bingo game advertising, which can be found in Amendment No. 4. The item passed by around 100,000 votes.
Voters also approved a change to Missouri’s minimum wage, moving it from $8.60 per hour with an .85 cents per hour increase each year until 2023 when the new minimum wage will be $12 per hour. This measure was Proposition B and was passed by around 600,000 votes.
The Proposition D focus of increasing the motor fuel tax failed by a little less than 200,000 votes.
In Ralls County, Sandy Lanier (R) defeated Janet Tutor (D) by a 2,885-1,427 margin to win the county clerk race. Two questions in New London and one in Center also failed.
In Pike County, Republicans had a good night as they won all of the competitive races.
Among the winners were Patrick Flynn (Circuit Judge 45), Milan Berry (Associate Circuit Judge), Chris Gamm (Presiding Commissioner), Missy Hunter Jaeger (County Clerk), and Kim Martin Luebrecht (Recorder of Deeds).
In Montgomery County, Proposition 1 passed 3,181-1,367.

Updated: 11:31 p.m.

With 2,845 of 3,256 precincts in…

Josh Hawley leads Claire McCaskill 1,116,311 to 894,614

Nicole Galloway leads Saundra McDowell in the State Auditor’s race 981,390 to 951,705

With 471 of 501 precincts reporting…

Sam Graves leads Henry Robert Martin 188,191 to 93,356 in the U.S. Rep. District 6 race

With 79 of 103 precincts reporting…

Jeanie Riddle leads Ayanna Shivers 36,738 to 16,721 in State Sen. District 10

With 136 of 147 precincts reporting…

Cindy O’Laughlin leads Crystal Stephens 41,089 to 16,155 in State Sen. District 18